MARC ALMOND
I’m Not Anyone (BMG)
Marc Almond, having spent the last two years perfecting, rejecting and finally picking 12 songs to cover for his latest album, I’m Not Anyone, has produced a concise and surprising set: a collection of curated classics from Neil Diamond, Colin Blunstone, Bob Lind and King Crimson to name a few, with lesser-known numbers by Johnny Rivers and Mahalia Jackson.
Opener I’m The Light is rocky, but laced with Almond’s crisp vocals – almost akin to a Michael Hutchence twang – and sitar sweeps. His voice has matured beautifully over the years, and his current relaxed lifestyle in Portugal is reflected in these recordings. I’m Not Anyone’s musicians and backing singers combine in harmonious style, outdoing some of the originals. Its title track, recreated from the Paul Anka and Sammy Davis Jr original, is a melancholic tune that stays with you, while Chain Lightning is pure Deep South Americana, overflowing with church chimes, trumpets and a True Detective thematic sound.
This album is a welcome addition to your collection – and with a potential hint of new Soft Cell tracks on the horizon, keep an eye out for his next venture.
words ANTONIA LEVAY
